My Sister, My Best Friend

I love my sister so much! She is simply amazing.

She is all that I have ever known. She is my past, my present and my future. I can't imagine my life without my sister, my best friend, my confidant. I have always needed my sister. I think I need her a lot more than she needs me. Growing up, I remember being separated years ago when we moved to Nigeria. She went to boarding school and I stayed at home with relatives. We saw each other during holidays and breaks and it was always fun. I joined her at boarding school four years later. Soon after, she graduated from Secondary School and we were separated again. I remember my first life/death experience in Nigeria. I was 10/11. We went to Bar Beach with some relatives, and I was in the water. Dipping my feet as I usually do. I went in a bit more, turned my back and the wave took me in. I felt my body drowning. When my sister and some people noticed, they tried pulling me out, but the more they tried, the more I was sinking in. I said a little prayer in my head. I said God, please don't let me die. If I live, I will love you forever. As soon as they brought me out and regained consciousness/threw up, I saw my sister, crying, pulling up my shorts and removing all the sand from my body and my hair. She kept crying saying, Don't you ever scare me like that again. I love and need my sister".  I moved back to the UK in 2000 while she was still in University in Nigeria. We were finally reunited when she moved back to the UK a year later in 2001.

“Sisters function as safety nets in a chaotic world simply by being there for each other.”  Caroline Saline

The underlying crux of our sistership has always been love but we have had to work at making our relationship work. Our bond was shaken but it was never broken. Even while separated, I always knew she loved me and I did her. I always knew I had someone somewhere out there that loved me and would always be therefore me if ever I needed her. 

"Children of the same family, the same blood, with the same first associations and habits, have some means of enjoyment in their power, which no subsequent connections can supply" Jane Austen, Mansfield Park, 1814

I have the best sister in the world. I know I can always count on her. I have been through a few tests and trials and she has always been right there by my side. Comforting me, counselling me, believing in me, inspiring me, never judging me. She is my best friend. As am adult, my entire thought process goes through her. At work, I send her a million emails a day because she is the only one that truly "gets me". She understands exactly where I am coming from and what I mean. I never have to explain myself to her. Don't get me wrong, we still have our misunderstandings here and there just like any other sistership, but we get through them and we move on.

Sisters may drive you crazy, get into your stuff and irritate you. However, if anyone else dares say so, a sister will defend you to the death.

When I say she inspires me, I truly mean it. She is my role model. I look up to her a lot because she is driven, she is determined, she is motivated. She has been through the worst and when you see her, she is always smiling and keeping her head up. She continues to remain positive, laughing all the way. Even when she is hurting, she tries to laugh. She is so considerate about every other person around her. She puts everyone else's feelings before her own. Even in her darkest hour, she is still trying to cater to others and cheer others up. I admire her tenacity. I admire her ability to see past a challenge. I admire her visions. I admire her zeal for life. She is my big sister, yet she treats me like we are equal partners. I can't have a better sister than her. Sometimes, when I feel sorry for myself, all I have to do it think about what my big sister will do if faced with such predicament. That's the impact she has on me. I can't count how many times I have called her, hysterically crying to her and she has consoled me. She will listen to me, offer possible solutions, make me laugh. She makes the hard times easier and the easier times more fun.

“Sister. She is your mirror, shining back at you with a world of possibilities. She is your witness, who sees you at your worst and best, and loves you anyway. She is your partner in crime, your midnight companion, someone who knows when you are smiling, even in the dark. She is your teacher, your defense attorney, your personal press agent, even your shrink.” Barbara Alpert

Recently, I have made a very tough decision and my sister has been so understanding and supportive. My sister, here is my promise to you. You are one in a billion to me. I promise to always be there for you. To lift you up, to hold your hand, to continue making you laugh. My life has been fun because of you. Most of my favourite memories have been with you in it. Thank you for being you. Thank you for who you are and who you have been to me. Thank you for being my backbone, my cheerleader, my defender. Thank you for loving me. Its amazing to know that wherever life takes me to and whatever I do, I can always count on you. I will always love and appreciate you.

I love you Auntie Kaka!

Love your Sister, Be Inspired.